CHAPTER SEVEN
The moment the Millennium Falcon dropped out of hyperspace and into the Tapani sector, Serra knew that something was wrong. The lights which illuminated the Corellian freighter's cockpit started to flicker. The engine started to utter a sputtering sound while the entire ship began to rattle.
"I knew this was a piece of junk," Rikk-Deri muttered.
Anakin cursed under his breath as he tried to maneuver the unresponsive controls. After a few minutes, he finally got the ship moving again, but very slowly.
"Rikk-Deri, what's the closes terrestrial planet we can land on?" he asked.
"Mrlsst," the Rutanian replied after viewing the navigation grid. "Hope they have a repair station down there. Or a spaceship lot."
It took nearly an hour, but Anakin was soon able to steer the Falcon towards Mrlsst and descend through the planet's atmosphere. As they headed for a spaceport, Serra took the opportunity to observe the city which they approached.
A magnificent mix of agriculture and urbanization was what comprised the city. Rotund, cylindrical buildings stood side-by-side with tall, lush trees, while garden laid before it all. It truly was a breath of fresh air from the vast, worldwide cityscape of Coruscant and the not-so-bright landscape of Susevfi.
Anakin soon found a hangar to land in and carefully landed the freighter. As it came to a stop, the ship let out a final sputter before dying.
"Rikk-Deri's right," Serra said. "How did Grandpa managed to put up with this thing?"
Anakin shrugged. "Even Jedi Masters are not privy to all of the mysteries of the galaxy."
As the three of them disembarked from the Falcon, they were instantly greeted by a short, blue-feathered male alien, no doubt meant to be a tour guide.
"Greetings," squawked the Mrlssi. "I am Kepor Dagwa. If you are new to Mrlsst, or at least this city which we call Mennaa, then I shall be your guide."
"Well, for starters, you can direct us to a repair station," Anakin said. "Our ship is having... issues."
"Ah, no worries," Kepor Dagwa said. "There's a local repair shop nearby owned by a woman named Jana Koral. Shall I take you to her?"
Anakin smiled. "That would be great."
"Excellent," the Mrlssi chirped, beckoning for the trio to follow him. "Come with me."
* * *
The Sith Master grinned to himself deviously.
The plan was working out perfectly. By sending a forged message from Jacen Solo, the Sith had been able to lure his first quarry to Mrlssi, while his apprentice handled the second. All that remained was the holocron.
The sudden presence of one of his minions broke him away from his musings. Without looking at the Noghri, the Sith Master said, "What is it, Brakh?"
The reptillian dropped onto one knee and bowed his head. "My lord," he growled. "The target has landed on Mrlssi."
"Yes, I am aware of that. What of it?"
"Shall I retrieve the quarry now?"
"No. We must savor the suspense for just a while longer."
Brakh snarled. "Patience is not exactly my strength, my lord."
"It will be if I command it."
The Noghri snorted as he rose to his feet. "Allow me to test that theory."
* * *
"A YT-1300?" Jana Koral ran a gloved hand through her greasy sand-colored hair. "It's not the Millennium Falcon is it?"
Anakin bit his lip. "I'm afraid it is."
The female human stared at him before bursting out laughing, shaking her head. "Man, that ship's model is over a hundred years old. Why don't you sell it for a 2400 or a more recent model?"
"Because it's sort of a family heirloom. My father would kill me if the very thought of selling it crossed my mind."
Jana shrugged. "Suit yourself." Turning in the direction of the back of the shop, she called out, "Qetzal! Bedo!"
Instantly, two stout pachydermoids- one a Pacithhip, the other an Ortolan- came rushing into the room. The former, in his hurry, accidentally tripped over his large tail and brought the Ortolan down with him. After quickly regaining his footing, the Pacitthip glared at Jana.
"When are you going to get me those stilt legs you promised me?" he snapped.
Jana simply rolled her eyes and instead said, "This guy's got a YT-1300 with a broken engine. Fix it."
The Ortolan's eyes widened. "A YT-1300? That ship must be an antique!"
"Yeah, I get that a lot," Anakin said. "It's at Docking Bay Six-Three-Seven. I'll meet you there."
As the two engineers ran out the shop, Anakin turned back to Jana. "May I ask you something?"
"If I know the answer, sure."
"Were you raised here on Mrlssi?"
"Actually, I was born on Fondor before my dad moved his business here." Jana shrugged. "Close enough, though."
"Then do you know anything about the planet Nyssa?"
She thought for a moment before shaking her head. "Can't say I have, sorry to say."
"That's all right," Anakin said, turning to leave the shop. "Thank you for-"
Before he could finish, he saw a large fist fly towards his face before slipping out of consciousness.
* * *
"Sure is taking his time," Rikk-Deri muttered as he dangled his legs over the bench which he, Serra, and Kepor Dagwa were sitting on. "That shop didn't look very busy."
Serra shrugged. "The Falcon is pretty old. Maybe the owner is trying to sell him a newer model."
"While we wait, may I interest you in some history?" Kepor asked. Before Serra or Rikk-Deri could respond, the Mrlssi pointed to a tall building withing the plaza they were in. "That is where President Gyr Keela awarded his aide Noss Prisht with the Pagda Luwa Science Award. It was also where...."
Serra held her head in her hands and groaned, hoping that her father would return soon. At that moment, she caught notice of a burly figure walking up to her. Looking up, she saw it was muscular alien with steel-gray skin. It seemed to be sniffing the air, at the same time regarding her with a mix of awe and... admiration?
"It is true," the brute murmured to himself. "He was telling the truth... you are the one."
"Excuse me," Serra said cautiously, feeling uncomfortable by the alien's presence. "But do I know you?"
To her surprise, the alien propped himself onto one knee and bowed his head. "Hrakh of Clan Bakh'tor, at your service."
"My service?" Serra exclaimed. "Is this a joke? What are you talking about?"
The alien looked up at her and smiled. "You are of his blood. The savior of Honoghr. The Masked Man." Hrakh bowed again. "You are the heir of Darth Vader."
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